Goals
Spiritual coaching supports the individual toward personal growth and self-discovery. Together, they work toward the client’s goals to better align their actions with spiritual values and purpose. The process may address various areas of a person’s life, including relationships, career, and well-being, yet be viewed through the lens of a spiritual perspective.
In addition to providing spiritual guidance, religious leaders often have broader responsibilities. They may conduct religious services, administer sacraments, and offer pastoral care in times of crisis or need. While they certainly offer one-on-one guidance, similar to a coach, that guidance adheres to whichever spiritual tradition the religious leader ascribes to.
Unlike coaching, the path to a successful life is often outlined in scripture or established written practices that apply to everyone in that branch of faith. The individual is not always encouraged to explore or question their validity or interpret them on a personal level.
These distinctions are not absolute.
As mentioned briefly above, there is a growing overlap between spiritual coaching and other spiritual professions. Individuals now hold dual roles. For example, they might combine spiritual coaching with pastoral duties or integrate coaching techniques into spiritual leadership practices.
Much like the way coaching improves outcomes for other helping professionals, I have witnessed notable increases in happiness and life satisfaction when coaching techniques are paired with spiritual practices.